Why Jim Watson never stops campaigning

Running in his eighth election, Jim Watson is approaching the Oct. 22 vote with calmness and confidence.

Clive Doucet’s much-heralded entry into the race has changed very little strategically for Watson because, whatever the odds, he always campaigns as if he’s the underdog — and it will be no different this time. With a well-oiled and well-resourced campaign machine in place, he is trusting the meticulous preparation and organization that has won him seven elections, to see him through again.

“I have been very fortunate, and always very grateful for the support I have received in the elections I have run, but I am never over-confident because over-confidence loses elections,” he said in an interview. “When I go to my office every day, I know I am a tenant. I don’t take anything for granted.”

Since he entered politics in 1991, Watson has won two council and two provincial elections, three mayoral races and is now aiming for the fourth. He has become such a serial winner that few are willing to run against him. It is said that familiarity often breeds contempt, but apparently not with Watson. Despite his three decades in politics, Ottawans can’t seem to get enough of him.

So, what is the secret sauce, I ask? “Oldfashioned” hard work combined with a passion for canvassing, backed by a team of seasoned campaign volunteers, Watson says. There is not a public function or event Watson won’t attend, and despite criticism, these engagements have become part of his winning formula. Even as we chatted at a west-end restaurant, he kept bringing up his next appointment: the Ottawa Plowing Match in Manotick.

“I love campaigns. I love canvassing, going door-to-door. I love meeting people. I canvass in between elections. It grounds me as a politician and people are generally happy seeing me,” he says. He has knocked on doors of 22,000 homes so far.

“I am also blessed with a great team of volunteers, many of whom have been with me since I first ran for city council.”

Watson is well aware that his opponents will make the election a referendum on his four years in office, using every perceived mistake or weakness to make their case. Indeed, there is material out there to milk. They will focus on the perceived image of Watson as something of an imperious mayor who dominates council, allows little or no debate and hardly listens to citizens’ concerns on major issues. There is also the idea that while Watson is a good mayor, he is dull and unexceptional — and Ottawa could do better with a new leader.

Watson brushes such criticism aside. He says under the previous mayor, council had become a glorified debating society, with endless talk and no action. His job was to whip council into shape to get things done and he makes no apologies for running a tight ship, building coalitions and getting stalled projects done. Watson says what he won’t do, is take a chance and go to council unprepared and then lose a big vote.

“There is this urban myth that we have some torture rack in the mayor’s office and we bring councillors in to stretch them out,” he says, laughing. “Yes, sometimes, someone will say, ‘The mayor twisted my arm’ on an issue, and yes that’s part of my job. I can’t take for granted that I will get 12 or 13 votes on this or that issue.”

Watson says he is looking forward to a campaign in which his record — which includes Lansdowne redevelopment, LRT, the Innovation Centre, Arts Court (and the Ottawa Art Gallery) and cleaning up the Ottawa River — would be put to test.

“People will say, ‘You are sort of a boring mayor,’ but the city is moving forward with a sense of optimism, and I am very proud of what we have accomplished,” he says.

Watson certainly has a record of achievement that people seem to be happy with. The challenge for his rivals is to convince voters to exchange a good, but boring mayor for a promise of something better.

I love canvassing, going door-to-door. I love meeting people.